Teaming Up Against Domestic Violence

Date:

20 June, 2016

Teaming Up Against Domestic Violence

Date: 20 June 2016

With the EUFA European Championships under way, Women’s Aid ABCLN and the PSNI are raising awareness of domestic abuse in the home. As with all domestic abuse campaigns they are again sending out a strong warning to possible offenders that incidents of domestic abuse will be dealt with robustly by the PSNI.

Victims of domestic abuse come from every walk of life and can be any age or gender. During sporting events, we often see an increase in incidents of domestic abuse. During the World Cup 2014, levels of domestic violence in the UK doubled in some areas.

The PSNI respond to an incident of domestic abuse every 19 minutes in Northern Ireland. We do not want this figure to increase further just because there is a major sporting event taking place.

As part of an ongoing campaign to tackle domestic abuse the PSNI have developed a poster and social media campaign which was launched by Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke and Anne Connolly, Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board on 8th June 2016.

The key message of the campaign ‘If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells that’s domestic abuse’ is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents and make victims aware that they can take steps to stop it.

Locally, Inspector Heather Scott from Mid and East Antrim district said, ‘Police in Antrim and Newtownabbey want everyone to enjoy the festivities aligned with the on-going European Championships. We are fully behind Woman’s Aid ABCLN in this latest campaign. The police service will act robustly against the perpetrators of domestic violence and work in collaboration to ensure the victim’s receive the best suitable support. No-one should fear coming forward. I would encourage everyone in the local area to ‘ Speak out, to stop it.’

“The rise in incidents of domestic violence is not the fault of football, nor is it due to alcohol. Most people can enjoy both without resorting to abusing their partners. This is the responsibility of violent people, having the opportunity to be violent and making excuses. We are clear however that there are no excuses for domestic violence”.

We call on all true lovers of sport to support zero tolerance of domestic violence.

Women’s Aid is dedicated to providing refuge, support, information and training to women and children who are suffering abuse within the home, in the Ballymena, Antrim, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey areas

•Support can be accessed by calling The Naomi Centre on 02825 632136 or the 24hr Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 802 1414 (Open to all women and men affected by domestic and sexual violence). Alternatively read about our services by visiting www.womens-aid.org.uk